The Lotus F1 Team has finally announced their 2014 driver line-up, with Pastor Maldonado filling the seat vacated by Kimi Raikkonen and partnering Romain Grosjean.
The Venezuelan made his F1 debut in 2011 for Williams, taking maiden win for the team at last year's Spanish Grand Prix. After a difficult 2013 campaign with the Grove outfit, he announced his departure from the team prior to this season's US GP.
The 28-year-old is clearly very fast but has proved to be inconsistent during his three years in F1. He proved his pure speed with a number of stunning qualifying laps in 2012, but Lotus will be hoping to iron out his slightly erratic tendencies.
Maldonado said on the announcement: "It is a fantastic opportunity for me to join Lotus F1 Team for 2014. It’s no secret that I have wanted a change of scene to help push on with my Formula 1 career and Lotus F1 Team offered the very best opportunity for me to be competitive next season.
"The regulations and cars will change significantly so it is a very good time for a fresh start. I can’t wait to be racing in black and gold."
Lotus team principal Eric Boullier is expecting both of his drivers to spring a few surprises in 2014. "It is with great pleasure that we can formally confirm that Romain Grosjean will continue with Lotus F1 Team next season," he said. "He has really made the most of his tremendous talent over the latter part of the 2013 season and will be a fantastic asset to our 2014 challenge.
"Romain will be joined by Pastor Maldonado; a driver I have known since he drove for me at DAMS in the 2005 World Series by Renault season. It is clear that Pastor has pace and potential – demonstrated by his 2010 GP2 Series title success and then through strong races throughout his career at Williams F1 Team – and we are convinced that we will be able to provide the correct environment to enable him to flourish regularly on track.
"We have been working on our new car in alignment with the new regulations for over two years and we are confident that we have a very good solution to all the challenges ahead. With Romain and Pastor I believe Lotus F1 Team will be able to cause quite a few surprises next year."
Grosjean has had a strong 2013 season, which included six podium finishes, and has really matured as a driver. He can't wait to get back in the car and tackle the new challenges in late January: "I am very happy to have official confirmation that I will be continuing to drive for Lotus F1 Team next season. This past year has been tremendously satisfying for me.
"We have worked well together, and I know everyone at Enstone is motivated to continue the fight for every last point available. I am very excited about next year’s car and I cannot wait to get out on track for pre-season testing before heading to Australia for the first race of the season."
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| (c) Octane Photographic |
The 28-year-old is clearly very fast but has proved to be inconsistent during his three years in F1. He proved his pure speed with a number of stunning qualifying laps in 2012, but Lotus will be hoping to iron out his slightly erratic tendencies.
Maldonado said on the announcement: "It is a fantastic opportunity for me to join Lotus F1 Team for 2014. It’s no secret that I have wanted a change of scene to help push on with my Formula 1 career and Lotus F1 Team offered the very best opportunity for me to be competitive next season.
"The regulations and cars will change significantly so it is a very good time for a fresh start. I can’t wait to be racing in black and gold."
Lotus team principal Eric Boullier is expecting both of his drivers to spring a few surprises in 2014. "It is with great pleasure that we can formally confirm that Romain Grosjean will continue with Lotus F1 Team next season," he said. "He has really made the most of his tremendous talent over the latter part of the 2013 season and will be a fantastic asset to our 2014 challenge.
"Romain will be joined by Pastor Maldonado; a driver I have known since he drove for me at DAMS in the 2005 World Series by Renault season. It is clear that Pastor has pace and potential – demonstrated by his 2010 GP2 Series title success and then through strong races throughout his career at Williams F1 Team – and we are convinced that we will be able to provide the correct environment to enable him to flourish regularly on track.
"We have been working on our new car in alignment with the new regulations for over two years and we are confident that we have a very good solution to all the challenges ahead. With Romain and Pastor I believe Lotus F1 Team will be able to cause quite a few surprises next year."
Grosjean has had a strong 2013 season, which included six podium finishes, and has really matured as a driver. He can't wait to get back in the car and tackle the new challenges in late January: "I am very happy to have official confirmation that I will be continuing to drive for Lotus F1 Team next season. This past year has been tremendously satisfying for me.
"We have worked well together, and I know everyone at Enstone is motivated to continue the fight for every last point available. I am very excited about next year’s car and I cannot wait to get out on track for pre-season testing before heading to Australia for the first race of the season."
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